A glorious 7.5K loop from Old Hartley

Today was unbelievably good weather for a run. Sunshine, blue skies with fluffy white clouds, and just 10°C. Given the choice between the Tyne valley and a return to the Seaton Sluice area, the latter won out for the sake of being marginally quicker to get to.


Looking south along the clifftops to the lighthouse on St Mary's Island, Whitley Bay

This time, we'd head south from Old Hartley clifftops (the southern end of Seaton Sluice, basically) towards St Mary's Island and Whitley Bay before coming inland past the caravan site and the golf course to reach the waggonways. From there, another 90° right-hander to head back northwards along said waggonway to Holywell Dene and then down into and through the dene and up again towards the Delaval Arms and down the bank back to the clifftops. A nice mix of seaside running, fields, railway lines, a tree-filled valley and riverside run. I really was blessed to grow up in this area; it's as delightful now for running as it was for general mucking about as a kid.


A nice example of a ridge and furrow field, part way round the run

I was, of course, accompanied by the running buddy again, meaning it was taken at a pace that would allow conversation. That said, it was still a solid 7.5km; my first time significantly over 5km for quite some time. But at no point did it feel difficult. It's amazing what a difference a lighter pace makes to how long you feel you can keep going. The 5km parkrun last weekend was WAY harder than this 7.5km outing.


Emerging from the tightly wooded valley of Holywell Dene to the broader pastures at its bottom end

In hindsight, I wish we'd tackled it the opposite way around, with the one big hill right at the start instead of at the end, but whatever. It was still glorious. Glorious enough, in fact, for us to vow to do it again. It just might have to wait a few weeks, as trips away beckon for both of us.


The world's slowest service could be 'enjoyed' at this coffee van. We gave up in the end.


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